REAL LEADERS WANTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 79, 17 July 1942, Page 4

REAL LEADERS WANTED

Sir, —Your leading article of July 3 ('Rising Temperl) gives expression to the feelings of the people of this Dominion as well as the rank and file of the British nation. The issue of this war is men and materials, and whilst we are producing under orthodox lines, that is "Debit before production" the hours to victory will be prolonged. What we want"*' is "True Leadership!" Leadership Gomes First was the title of an art-> tele in the London Evening Standard of March 9, 1942, by General Sir Hubert Gough, who commanded, the sth Army in the last war. Referring to the suggested purge of officers he declared: "The purge should include in its sweep Briga-*, diers and Majpr Generals, by the time they have reached this rank, many are infested with the poison, of pedantry, the avoidance of responsibility and making decisions. These* fatal tendencies have been incalcati etl by too much Treasury control. j It is this cramping system that has been largely the cause of the ruin of so milch of our generalship. There can be no. effective leadership of the British people military or otherwise until this position has been reversed and the monetary arrangements are , entirely subordinated to the need of industry and the fighting services. Decisions must be made by practical leaders, not financial theorists and manipulators.. The pathetic cry of "too little and too late ,, that follows in the wake of each campaign is the direct result of financial sabotage in our midst. "Win the war first and then discuss economic reforms" is the dangerously irresponsible attitude of people who would sacrifice demo-» cracy before their old ideas and prejudices. But can we win the war, while orthodox finance continues ta sway? Recent events supply grim evidence of the continued strength? of the Axis powers, unhampered by restrictions or fears, while demo- . cracy still stumbles at the same old) obstacle. This cry from a British General Is identical with the constant complaints of industrial leaders and engineers, appalled by the bungling delay and waste in production due to the continuance of the same fin-* ancial outlook and formula that lost the peace for democracy in the last war. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.